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No. 22, 

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The Trusted Friend 



By William and Josephine Giles. 




ADOLPH E. REM, 

Publisher, 
MILWAUKEE, - WISCONSIN. 



C-CLD 24016 



No. 22. 
The Trusted Friend, 



By William and Josephine Giles. 



Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1910, by Adoiph 
E. Reim, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washing- 
ton, d. a^ 



NOTICE. 

The Acting Rights of this sketch are reserved. This applies to 
amateurs as well as professionals. Letters should be addressed to 
the sole owner Adoiph E. Reim, at 306 Foster Bldg., Milwaukee, 
Wis. 

"Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic 
or musical composition, for which a copyright has been obtained, 
without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical 
composition, or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages 
therefor; such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not 
less than $100.00, for the first and $50.00, for every subsequent 
performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlaw- 
ful performance and representation be wilful and for profit, such 
person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con- 
viction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year." 

U. S. REVISED STATUTES, TITLE 60, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 
4960. 



AD0LPH E. REIM, 

Publisher, 
MILWAUKEE, - WISCONSIN. 






J> v> 



^ \y k 



CAST. 

Jack Grey A Young Business Man. 

Katherine Grey His Wife, 

Tom Marlow .' His friend. 

Abe., (colored) His Servant. 



DIAGRAM. 



o — chair — 
desk 
/screen 
o chair 

two chairs & stand. 
0O0 


chair — o 

piano — o | 
chair — o 
chair 





TMP92-0Q9249 



THE TRUSTED FRIEND. 



A Summer Evening. 

SCENE — A well furnished room at Jack Grey's home. (French 
window at r. c m to open. Door l. c. Desk at right of door. Piano 
at l. Screen at r. Tico chairs and stand with books on, at r. c. 
Chair at l. a). See Diagram. 

(Enter Abe at door). 

Abe — (Looks around room cautiously). Gee, Ise all done in a 
pickle now, done got into another scrap last night down to de blow- 
out, done licked de nigger all right; but dat didn't tell de jedge 
anything, he done says eight sixty and costs or de stone pile, golly, 
think of dat! I axed de jedge if day was any way to get out oh 
dis, and he done said, get somebody to go your bail, den hustle a- 
round and dig up de money to pay your fine and costs. So I got 
Marse Grey to go my bail till to-morrow ; but I all done don't 
know where in de debble Ise gwine ter get dat money. Marse Grey 
done paid my fine two or three times already, and he says he won't 
do it another time. Ise don't know what Ise gwine ter do. (Turns 
pockets wrong side out). Done broke ain't got no money. Oh Lor- 
dy Ise all done getting desperate. (Paces stage). Ise all done 
think Ise gwine to explode, Ise getting hot! (Looks off from door). 
Oh Lordy, dare comes Marse Grey, Ise done don't want him to see 
this nigger heah, he done thinks Ise out trying to get de money to 
pay my fine. Oh Lord, where will I go, Ise done know, I'll just 
drop in behind dis thing dat keeps flies out. (Hides behind screen). 

(Enter Katherine and Jack at door). 

Katherine — You're not going to be gone long, are you Jack? It's 
so dreadfully lonely without you. 
Abe — (Peeping around screen). (Aside). Golly, dat makes me 



4 THE TEUSTED FRIEND. 

homesick ! 

Jack — It is sweet to hear you say that Katherine, you tempt me 
to go oftener just to get you to tell me that you miss me. 

Abe — (Aside). Well listen to that rascal, why he is all done worse 
dan I am! 

Katherine — (Pitts arm around his neck). I would rather tell you 
how glad I am to have you at home with me Jack. 

Abe — (Aside). Oh, you mushy kid! . 

Jack — I wouldn't go dear if I wasn't compelled to, but I will 
hurry, you will be surprised at the haste I shall make, just to get 
back to my little wife. 

Abe — (Aside). Oh Lord, Ise all done got to get out of heah if 
this keeps up much longer. 

Katherine — I know you will Jack, but there is something else I 
want to speak to you about, it is Abe. 

Abe — (Aside). Oh Lord, why dat's me! 

Katherine — He has neglected his work so of late, that my patience 
has given out. 

Abe — (Aside). Oh, is dat all, golly Ise done thought she knowed 
about de scrap! 

Jack — Oh say, my dear, I forgot to tell you. he got into trouble 
again the other night, and although I went his bail until in the 
morning, I do not intend to pay his fine, so I guess we will get rid 
of him, I'll get someone else to-morrow. 

Abe — (Aside). Huh, sounds like Ise gwine to loose mah job. 

Katherine — I am sorry to hear of that, he used to be so good un- 
til he got in with that rough gang he runs with. 

Abe — (Wipes eyes with handkerchief). Yes, I used to be good, 
but too much high life. 

Katherine — But maybe this will teach him a lesson? 

Abe — (Aside). Call it a lesson if you want to! 

Jack — I don't know my dear, maybe it will, but it's my opinion, 
he'll keep on till he kills somebody, and gets hung. 

Abe — (Aside). What am de debble he talking about anyhow? 
This nigger get hung? 

Jack — (Takes money from pocket). Here is a hundred dollars, 
Katherine, that I collected after the bank had closed, I will just 
put it in the desk here 'till morning. 

Abe — (Aside). Golly, a hundred dollars, why dis nigger would 
be the happiest person living if I had dat much money. 



THE TRUSTED FRIEND. 5 

Katherine — You had better lock the desk, Jack. 
Jack — I will when I return. 

(Door bell rings). 

Katherine — I wonder who that is? 

Abe — (Aside). Golly, maybe it's all done the police after me. 
Maybe Ise kill dat nigger ! 

Jack — I don't know my dear, I will see. (Opens the door). 

(Enter Tom Marlow). 

Jack — (Takes his hand). Why it's Tom, my old friend. 

Tom — (Shakes hands with them both). Why I didn't know you 
were going out, Jack. 

Abe — (Aside). Golly, Ise wonder when dis nigger am gwine to 
get out ob heah? 

Jack — I am just going to the office Tom, will be back in an hour. I 
am glad you come, Katherine will be alone, unless you will stay 
until I return. 

Tom— I'll be glad to accommodate you Jack, providing it's all right 
with your wife. 

Jack — (Laughs). The majority rules in this case. Tom, we'll 
leave her out, there's a chair in here belongs to me. you can have it 
until I return. 

Abe — (Aside). Ise all done thinkin' dat dis nigger will need a 
chair before he done gets out ob heah. 

Tom — (Sits in large easy chair by stand). This is awfully kind 
of you Jack. 

Jack — Oh. don't mention it, Tom ! 

Abe — (Aside). No don't say a word about it, Tom. 

Toin—\ say Jack, why if you have much business to look after, 
you don't need to hurry back. 

Jack — Here young man. if that is the way you appreciate my 
kindness, I '11 stay at home. 

(All laugh). 

Abe — (Aside). Ise done wish I could laugh. 

Jack and Katherine go to door, Jack kisses her and exits 



6 THE TRUSTED FRIEND. 

Katherine looks after him, waves hand). 

&be — Golly, Ise done wish Ise could get out dat easy. (Aside). 

Tom — I don't believe you and Jack will ever get over your hon- 
ey-mooning, Katherine. (Takes hook from stand). 

Katherine — I hope we never shall. (Goes to stand takes up tcork 
basket, sits in large chair at l. and commences to sew). It seems 
to me sometimes as if I never really lived until I become Jack's 
wife. 

Abe — (Aside). Now dat's de way Ise want my wife to talk, when 
Ise get one. 

Tom — Your's is rather a singular case, but it does a fellow good 
to see two people happily married now-a-days ; but, by the way 
Katherine, have you forgotten that piece Marie, your sister used 
to play for me, before she married the other fellow? 

Abe — (Aside). Dat's de way all do. 

Katherine — Why no, I often play it, Jack likes it so well, and it 
was always a favorite with me too, shall I play it for you, Tom? 

Tom — I should be delighted, it may bring back old memories, but 
they will be sweet ones. 

Abe — (Aside). Ise all done don't care about de memories, if it 
would only bring me some dollars, they would be sweet ones. 

Katherine — (Sets basket on stand, goes to piano). Sometimes the 
memories are even sweeter than the reality. 

Abe — (Aside). Ise wish they would cut out the memories and 
take a walk. 

Tom — (Lays book on stand, goes to piano stands with his back 
to desk and door). 

Katherine — Oh yes Tom, I was just thinking, Jack put some mon- 
ey in the desk, what if someone knew it and would try and rob us? 

Tom — (Laughs). Don't borrow trouble Katherine, it is to be 
hoped no one has learned of it, you have no cause for alarm. 

Katherine — (Laughs, plays some soft melody). 

Abe — (Aside, looks out from behind screen). Golly, I believe 
Ise could get out ob heah without dem seein' me! (Creeps soft- 
ly from behind screen). Ise all done gwine to get dat money if I 
kin, for Ise done need it. (Goes to desk takes money, kisses it). 
Oh yo green backs! (Goes to door takes out key). Ise all done 
gwine to lock dis door after me, den if dey miss de money dey 
can't get out to catch me. (Opens door goes out, and shuts it after 
him, just as Abe goes through the door Tom turns and sees him). 



THE TRUSTED FRIEND. < 

Tom — {Aside). Why, I didn't hear Abe come in, I wonder what 
he wanted? 

Katherine — (Finishes playing). Will you never forget those old 
days, Tom? (Takes up her sewing again sits in chair). 

Tom — (Seated by stand). They are the dearest memories of my 
life. 

(Door bell heard). 

Katherine— Oh there is Jack! (Puts tcork basket on stand, goes 
to open door, finds the door locked, star-ts). Why, the door is locked! 

Tom— (Starts to his feet). Locked? (Rims and trys door, sta- 
gers back). 

Katherine — Who could have done this and what was their mo- 
tive? Oh Tom, what will Jack think, what will he say? (Covers 
her face with her hands and sobs). Oh, do something, quick Tom! 
Don't let my husband think that we have wronged or deceived him! 

Jack— (Heard at the door trying to open it, blow after blow sounds 
upon it). Open the door, Katherine! 

Katherime — ( Staggers back ) . 

Tom — (Tries to open door again). Great Hevens, what devil's 
work is this? I wonder if that nigger had anything to do with it. 
(Runs to desk, starts). The money is gone, I understand it all now, 
but can we make Jack believe it? 

Jack — Open this door, I say! (Hammers on door). 

Katherine — Oh Tom, Tom, can't you think of something, what can 
we say to Jack to make him believe that we are innocent? 

Tom — (Grabbing her by the arm drags her to a chair). Keep 
quiet Katherine, I will save you. (Catching both her hands he 
ties them back of her, then taking the scarf from the piano he pla- 
ces it across her face and ties it back of the chai}r, goes to desk, he 
scribbles a few words on a piece of paper and lays it on the desk, 
runs, opens the window and exits out of the window). 

jacjc — (Trying to open the door bloiv after blow, until he opens 
it, he bursts into the room, starts). My God, what does this mean, 
Katherine, Katherine, what is the matter, why was that door locked? 
My God! (Runs to her). Are you hurt, who has done this? (Un- 
ties her, takes her in his arms). Thank God, you have done noth- 
ing wrong, but where is Tom? 

Katherine — (Points to desk). 



APR 21 191 1 



8 THE TRUSTED FRIEND. 

Jack — (Goes to desk, takes up note, reads aloud). "Dear Jack: — 
I had to do it, I have robbed my employer of the amount you had 
in your desk, I would sooner trust my honor to you than to him." 

Jack — {Goes takes Katherine in his arms). Forgive me Kather- 
ine, for the first time in my life I doubted you to-night, when I 
found that door locked. I was overcome with a jealous fear that 
I shall never forget ! 

Katherine — Oh Jack, if you could only look into my heart you 
would always believe me! 

Jack — (Turns aside). Oh Tom, Tom, a thief, my truest friend? 

Katherine — ( Aside) . A truer friend a man never had! 

(Enter Abe at door). 

Abe — (Sheepishly, goes to Jack and hands him the money). Ise 
all done couldn't do it Marse Grey, I took de money to pay my fine, 
I was hid behind dat screen when I heard yo tell yo wife about de 
money, so when Mrs. Grey was playing de piano, and yo friend was 
standing dar by de piano Ise just slipped out and got de money, and 
went out and locked de door after me, so. dey couldn't catch me if 
dey found out dat I took de money, but something kept saying, take 
it back Abe, take de money back Abe, to Marse Grey, so Ise all done 
fetched it back again. Oh, Marse Grey, won't yo pay my fine, and 
I'll never do anything no more? 

Jack — Katherine, what does this mean? 

Katherine — Don't you understand Jack? When you came to the 
door and we found it was locked, Tom done what he did to save 
me, the innocent, from disgrace ! 

Jack — (Takes her in his arms). I understand it all, Katherine. 
(Gives Abe some money). But we must find Tom, Katherine, and 
tell him that his sacrifice was not in vain, for it has taught us a 
lesson that will never be forgotten. (Kisses Katherine). 

(Abe kisses money, starts to door). 
—CURTAIN— 



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